The 2024 Board of Directors

At the January 10th 2024 Board Meeting, the Board of Directors elected the 2024 Officers. Read more about them below and congratulations to our new officers!

Mary Harris, President

Mary lives in Marina Towers on Slaters Lane.  She has been a resident of North Old Town since 1994 and a member of NOTICe since 1999. She has served on its Board of Directors and as Treasurer.

In 2023, Mary led NOTICe history project to create a database of historic sites and stories of Old Town North to share with residents and visitors. She also was Co-Chair of Alexandria’s Energy and Climate Change Action Plan Task Force. The Plan was accepted by the City Council last year and a new city Climate Action office began implementation.   She currently serves on the Board of Agenda Alexandria and is a member of the Alexandria Historical Society. 

Retired in 2014 from Winrock International and the Board of the National Wildlife Federation, Mary has a long career in the field of sustainable development. She has an MBA in finance from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School and a BS (which is also useful). An avid sailor and walker on our Potomac waterfront. Mary is passionate about sharing OTN history, increasing tree canopy & public green space and fostering civic participation and community pride in Old Town North as it redevelops.

Margaret Townsend, Vice President

Margaret is the owner of River’s Edge Yoga and Movement Studio in Old Town North.

Margaret is President of the Board of Directors of the Old Town North Community Partnership,Executive Director of Yogis for Positive Change, is a member of the Hunger Free Alexandria Committee and is the manager of the Old Town North Thursday and Sunday Farmer’s Markets.

Margaret returned to her childhood home of Alexandria after spending several years in New York City working in the theatre, teaching at SUNY Purchase and consulting in Arts / Not for Profit Management and Special Events.

Margaret holds an MFA in Dance and Choreography and a year of Post Graduate Studies in Laban Movement Analysis and uses this training to work with clients of all ages and physical capabilities.

Margaret completed the Excellence in Leadership Training a Program through the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce in 2022 and uses tools learned in that training to increase awareness of the importance of small businesses , community engagement and the arts for all who live, work or own  small businesses in the community.
Margaret recently worked with Alexandria  City Poet Laureate to apply for and receive a Business and Arts Collaborative Grant to fund the Haiku Project.

She is pleased to be serving as a member of the NOTICe Board and looks forward to using her experience in not for profit management and special events to benefit the Old Town North Community.

Kathryn Condello, Secretary

Kathryn works for a major telecommunications provider as an Industry advisor to the Federal Government on the means to jointly mitigate emerging and systemic security risks to the nation's networks.   While the topics she addresses have no immediate relevance to NOTice (!), Kathryn operates in a public/private environment where core tasks include characterizing the problem, finding solutions, building consensus, and then driving towards implementation.  She hope these skills can be leveraged to support NOTice’s objectives. 

A long-term resident within the DMV, Kathryn has been an Alexandria House (AH) homeowner for five years, where she serves as co-chair of the Community Relations Committee.  This Committee apprises homeowners of upcoming changes in OTN, and provides the information needed for individuals to provide input on these developments.  She believes this steady dissemination of NOTice initiatives to Alexandria House residents will be of value to this organization and looks forward to working with everyone.    

Melissa B. Kuennen, Treasurer

Melissa has 40 years of design experience as an architect for Federal, State and civic agencies and higher education institutions, with an ongoing interest and many years of experience in Smart Growth and Transportation Oriented Development (TOD).  She has served as a volunteer on multiple Professional Association and client boards, public agency Designer Selection committees, and as a founder of urban design community groups for public transportation projects. Melissa actively participated in the Small Area Plan Update for Old Town North and wants to help ensure its principles are followed by the city. She currently sits on the Potomac Yard Design Advisory committee, and joined the Board of NOTICe in 2022. She believes in the importance of providing affordable housing throughout Old Town in order to expand the diversity of its population, as walkable neighborhoods should be available for everyone.  In addition, Melissa is passionate about the importance of communication and is spear-heading the completion of a neighborhood contact list to help the OTN citizens stay more aware of the planning process in our neighborhood.  She and her husband Bruce Kuennen are residents at the Gables in Old Town North.

Mace Carpenter, President Emeritus

We have an incredible organization—it is a joy to be a member.  I believe in NOTICe and fully support.  We have challenges to address and wonderful members to do it.  As a retired Air Force Colonel with 34 active years in the Air Force, I work with the Office of the Secretary of Defense with a focus in energy innovation, the environment, and space.  In the Air Force I commanded at the flight, squadron, and group levels.  I have four master’s degrees that include ones on public administration and political science and am a member of the Alexandria Presbyterian Church.     

I have current civic experience that includes being Chaplain for the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Aerie 871, President of the North Old Town Independent Civic Association, and a board member for the RiverRenew Stakeholder Advisory Group.  Some of my other past civic efforts include AIDS Outreach, Boy Scouts, Fairfax Little League Baseball, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and the City of Fairfax Parks & Recreation Committee.  My wife Andi is always there to provide support.          

I thank the members who serve on the NOTICe board and within our membership.  Please contact me if you have questions for me.        

Trevor A. Riley serves as the Communications and Events Manager for NOTICe. He previously served on the NOTICe Board for 2 terms, as both a Member at Large and Secretary. By day, and often night, Trevor is the Production Manager at Arena Stage in Washington DC. While he lives on the West End of Alexandria, he considers North Old Town his second home.